July 03, 2007	Tuesday	Jamadi-us-Sani 17, 1428

LAHORE, July 2: The Muttahida Majlis-i-Amal is intact, but there are serious differences between the Jamaat-i-Islami and the Jamaiat Ulema-i-Islam (Fazl), two major constituents of the six-party coalition, on all important issues. At times they appear like rivals, going in opposite directions, giving a false impression to the people that their destination is the same.

The Jamaat-i-Islami, for example, is in favour of forging an alliance with the PML-N and the Pakistan Tehrik-i-Insaaf. It is also very enthusiastic about participating in the multi-party conference being hosted by the PML-N in London. It hopes that the MPC will give a new direction to the situation in the country.

But the JUI (F) doesn’t share this enthusiasm.

According to reliable sources, Maulana Fazlur Rehman has told Qazi Husain Ahmed that the MPC should not be given much importance. Fazl, who is also leader of the opposition in the National Assembly, thinks that the religious alliance should not follow the exiled prime minister Nawaz Sharif and the cricketer-turned-politician Imran Khan for they have their own interests.

The MMA, he thinks, should participate in the MPC only to be seen with the rest of the opposition parties but should not take part in any movement at this juncture. The JUI-F fears that in case the religious alliance adopts an “irrational policy”, the federal government may get an excuse to take action in the settled areas similar to the one it is taking in Waziristan and tribal areas.

The JUI-F believes that the federal government is responsible for creating the Taliban in various areas of NWFP.

At the MPC, the JUI(F) is expected to propose that the participants demand enforcement of the Islamic system as strongly as they intend to ask for the restoration of democracy. If democracy is what the constitution calls for, so is the Islamic system, a party source says.

According to him, the ‘caravans’ organized by the MMA are part of a mass contact drive, not a movement against the government. The Jamaat calls them part of the anti-government movement.

There are indications that the JUI (F) is in contact with the government and its stance on various issues will change in case the government agrees to waive graduation as the minimum educational qualification for the legislators, enhances the quantum of provincial autonomy and doesn’t reverse the steps already taken for Islamization.

The JUI-F defends such contacts, arguing that not all eggs should be put in one basket.

Maulana Fazulr Rehman has reportedly advised Qazi Husain Ahmed to follow a similar policy. He has told the MMA president that despite differences with Gen Pervez Musharraf, relations with the establishment should remain unaffected.

Although it is hard to digest, a JUI-F source says his party may agree to support Gen Musharraf for a second term if he agrees to take off his uniform.

The Jamaat-i-Islami, on the other hand, insists that it will not tolerate Gen Musharraf in power with or without uniform.

Many in the JUI-F believe that they should focus on serving the people rather than wasting energies on other issues.

The JUI-F has reservations about the conduct of the Jamaat leader in NWFP. Maulana Fazlur Rehman, it is said, has raised the matter with Qazi Husain Ahmed. He has told the Jamaat chief that his party leaders were acting like opposition leaders to Chief Minister Akram Durrani. Professor Ibrahim’s conduct was specially mentioned by the JUI-F leader.

It is said that Liaquat Baloch will be visiting NWFP in the near future to meet with various JUI-F leaders. He will try to clear their misunderstandings.

The JUI-F thinks that the Jamaat-i-Islami may not have much at stake, but the party of Maulana Fazlur Rehman does. Thus, it will prefer to follow a policy which could bring it more support at the time of elections.

The Jamaat-JUI views on the issue of resignations from assemblies are also dissimilar.

While the Jamaat leadership said on many an occasion in the past that the PML-led coalition in Balochistan should be left without delay, Maulana Fazlur Rehman has been resisting the idea. He argues that the MMA should quit the assemblies only if other parties take the initiative.

The JUI-F, the source said, would have no objection if the term of the assemblies is extended by one year. “This will enable the MMA government to serve the people for one more year”.

However, if the National Assembly is dissolved, keeping the provincial assemblies in place, the JUI would advise the dissolution of the NWFP Assembly and quit the Balochistan goverenment, the source said.